Anderson. Paak Pays Homage to Eminem on a New Song With Cordae

Hip-hop has always thrived on lineage and intergenerational dialogue, where a single line can instantly bridge decades of musical evolution. On the track “Airbender” by Anderson .Paak and Cordae, .Paak delivers a clever, full-circle homage to one of the most celebrated verses in West Coast rap history. By twisting a classic cadence, the duo asserts their present-day dominance while acknowledging the legendary architects who paved the way before them.

In the original 1999 hit “Forgot About Dre,” Eminem famously spat a rapid-fire blueprint for handling detractors and asserting dominance: “So what do you say to somebody you hate / Or anyone tryna bring trouble your way? / Wanna resolve things in a bloodier way? / Just study a tape of N.W.A.” Reimagining this iconic scheme, Anderson .Paak modernizes the sentiment while shifting the focus toward musical craftsmanship: “So what do you say to somebody you hate / Or anybody tryna bring trouble your way? / Sick of all the bulls–t that the radio play / Tell ’em, ‘Study a tape of A.P. ‘n’ ‘Dae'”

The interpolation carries extra weight given the shared history between these artists. Both Eminem and Anderson .Paak spent pivotal stretches of their careers under the tutelage of Dr. Dre and his Aftermath Entertainment imprint. By referencing Eminem’s breakthrough moment on Dre’s track, .Paak subtly highlights his own place in that legendary lineage. Swapping out N.W.A. for “A.P. ‘n’ ‘Dae” recontextualizes the threat of violence into a masterclass on top-tier rap synergy.

Ultimately, the nod underscores the formidable partnership formed between Anderson .Paak and Cordae. Just as N.W.A. and Aftermath set the gold standard for raw West Coast energy, .Paak and Cordae present their back-and-forth collaborative style as the definitive blueprint for modern listeners tired of formulaic radio tracks. It is a celebratory, boastful moment that cements their status as student-masters of the culture. You can listen to the new song below:

Anderson Paak Eminem